Ben Smith and Friends Dec 9th at the Highway 99 Blues Club Seattle. Marc Seales, Chuck Deardorf, Darrius Willrich and Jon Goforth. Tickets Online: https://goo.gl/lGYpsR
Man, I woke up excited this morning about a night I have coming up. I get to do a gig with good friends, most of whom I’ve known for many years. This band is made up of Chuck Deardorf on bass, Marc Seales on keys, Jon Goforth on saxes and Darrius Willrich on vocals. There will be lots of songs that I love, from great writers like Stevie Wonder, Wayne Shorter, John Scofield, Bill Withers and others.
In this show I get to play musical styles I haven’t played a lot in the past few years, so it has required thought and practice. Also, since I’m the bandleader, I’ve been the one responsible for handling the musicians, the club, getting the music together, and getting the word out there.
The main thing I get out of doing this show is having a chance to connect with my friends. My bandmates, my friends who are coming to the show, and the folks at the club who I really appreciate. I get to play fantastic songs with talented musicians, and we can laugh and have a blast.
The last rehearsal is today. We’ll get together at a local music school rehearsal room, and go over the tunes that Darrius is singing. This means we’ll have rhythm charts to read and discuss. We’ll make decisions about tempos, arrangements, instrumental solos, beginnings and endings, set list order and scheduling for the day of show. On the day of the show, we’ll arrive at the club, set up, rehearse a little more then disappear until 8pm for the 8:30 first set.
I love the feeling of knowing I’ll be performing with my really good friends, for a crowd that wants to hear us. We’ll pour our hearts out through the songs, and get into it. For the music fans and musicians out there, I am grateful I’m able to be a part of our music community, and happy I will be in your company on December 9, 2016. We’ll be performing at Highway 99 Blues Club in Seattle, 8:30 and 10:30 shows. If anyone needs more information, please find the club on the web at http://highway99blues.com.
Check the event out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/115848465553465/
